Introduction
“Readers’ advisory” is a library service in which a librarian will provide suggestions for what a patron should read next. It can be direct, such as working with the patron to find what their interests are and what they like to read. Readers’ advisory can also be indirect, where librarians use tools such as book displays to call every user’s attention to resources. Even if you’ve never heard it called “readers’ advisory”, chances are you’ve provided this service to your patrons.
It is fun but can be challenging. Answering the question “What should I read next?” can be tricky. However, your library software should be able to help you promote your collection and make recommendations that your reader will love.
Cataloging and Classification
The way you arrange the materials in your library, of course, directly affects your ability to find materials that might be just what your patron is looking for. Is it easy to add new items? Are there many libraries available to choose from for copy cataloging? Can you edit existing items to add subject headings, change the call numbers, and place items into genres if you are using genrefication to organize your library? Being able to catalog your resources so that you can find materials that your patron will like is crucial to your readers’ advisory efforts.
Borrowing History
If your ILS tracks borrowing history, and you have this feature enabled, you can go through the history to see what authors and titles your reader has already checked out. Analyzing what topics, genres, and authors that a patron has already borrowed can help you identify patterns and see what authors and titles are similar to your patron’s tastes.
Online Catalog Tools
Tools like Surpass Cloud’s Explore Buttons, that can retrieve lists of items or perform a search for a given subject, are useful to librarians trying to find the “next great read” for a patron. Resource lists can also be used as well, and librarians can create these lists based on past successful recommendations. Virtual displays of resources that are trending at your library could spark a new interest in an author or subject.
Reports
In addition to catalog searches, you can run reports to find item in your database with the same subjects as books your patron likes, such as “suspense” or “mystery”. Evaluating how many items with those subjects, authors, and genres you currently have in your library can not only be used to find resources for your patron, but also to help you select new items. Circulation data identifies which materials have high rates of checkouts and renewals and might interest the patron asking for suggestions.
Reviews
Professional reviews can help one decide whether or not to check out an item, and they can also help you find quality resources to suggest. Surpass Cloud’s optional Enhanced Content add-on provides access to professional reviews, sample chapters, author notes, and more, better quality cover images.
Patron reviews also help librarians find out how their user base liked (or didn’t like) particular resources. Librarians can show patrons what information about a title is available to them, so they can use it along with the librarians’ suggestions.
Conclusion
Your ILS should have several tools that can help you make informed suggestions to your patrons. Information that is easy to retrieve using multiple methods can help you best advise your patrons.
About Surpass Software
Surpass is the easy-to-use, cloud-based library management system for libraries of all types and sizes. Whether you’re a school, church, museum, business, or any other organization with resources to lend, Surpass is likely a good fit for you. We pride ourselves on being affordable and flexible, with an expert support team ready to help you at a moment’s notice.
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